Mrs Mouse at workNov 13, 2023
Someone help me understand something about baseball.
So, as I understand it, it's a strike when they don't strike the ball, unless it's a ball. but if they strike the ball, it's not a strike nor a ball, unless it's foul, then it might or might not be a strike.
Show threadBikeCurmudgeonNov 13, 2023

@MrsMouse
I'm incapable of separating a joke from a sincere question. I'll try to explain in case you're serious.

If the batter swings and makes no contact with the ball it's a strike. Swing and a miss. Did the batter make a complete swing? Ump call.

If the pitch doesn't go over the plate and is thrown between the batter's knees and chest (the strike zone) that is a ball by judgement of the umpire, as long as the batter didn't swing ( see above.) Only 4 ball are permitted per batter.

Show threadMrs Mouse at work
@BikeCurmudgeon
so I'm confused about the complete swing, I thought there was something called a "blunt" where they deploy the bat slowly? Is that part of an incomplete swing?
Nov 13, 2023 at 9:53pmWeb
Show threadBikeCurmudgeonNov 13, 2023
@MrsMouse
Good question. A bunt is when the batter tries to hit the ball in a special way. Ideally they hold the bat motionless over the plate hoping to cause the ball to go a few feet onto the field. They try to absorb most of the energy of the ~95+ MPH ball. Because the batter holds the bat over the plate an attempted bunt is always a strike unless they pull their bat back before the ball crosses the plate.
Show threadBikeCurmudgeonNov 13, 2023
@MrsMouse
A bunt is used in 3 cases. A fast batter can get a hit when the catcher can't get the ball and throw them out before they reach 1st. This is the most common use. See Rod Carew.
Or if another person is on base, like on third, it pulls the catcher away from covering home so the runner at 3rd can score.
Last a lousy batter can execute a bunt with zero outs to get a runner to advance by a sacrifice bunt. Used when pitchers batted.
Show threadBikeCurmudgeonNov 13, 2023

@MrsMouse
The "incomplete" swing comes from the 0.02 seconds (200 milliseconds) the batter has to make the decision to swing and where. They start to swing and the ball movement tells them to "stop" their swing mid-process.

Not easily done.